Making Time for Exercise

By: Anna Fleet

As a certified personal trainer and editor of a popular fitness
site, FitnessGear101.com, I've heard every excuse in the book
when it comes to why people don't exercise. However, the one
that takes the, pardon-my-pun, "fitness cake" is lack of time.

A day doesn't go by without one of my clients professing that
they simply don't have time for exercise. Well, I've seen people
who want to loose weight badly enough. They will restrict their
diets, exercise rigorously for an hour a day and even swear off
alcohol - gasp - and chocolate - double gasp! So, don't give me
that bull!

People shy away from exercise because they think they'll have to
spend hours in a gym. To maintain good health all you need is a
healthy diet and a daily walk that can be broken up into
increments throughout the day.

Still don't believe me? I'll show you how easy it is to fit
brief walks into your day:

1) Is Sex and the City a rerun again? It breaks my heart when
that happens. Why not go for a 30-minute walk. If it's a new
episode that you simply can't miss, jump rope during commercials
or run on the spot.

2) Does carting the kids to hockey or baseball cut into your
exercise time? Take some inspiration from Jr. and stay on your
feet during the game. You'll get kudos for being the team's best
cheer leader, and your butt won't expand to the size of the
soccer field.

3) Are you dying to get your hands on the next best-seller? Buy
it as a book-on-tape and take it walking with you. It might have
you extending your stroll to finish a chapter.

4) Instead of a sumptuous brunch with the girls, try a brisk
30-minute walk with your BFF. Catching up on all the latest
gossip can be just as delicious during a walk - plus it won't
tempt you to cheat on your healthy eating plan.

5) Remember when people used to "run" errands? Well many of us
still take that term literally. The next time you need a quart
of milk, walk to the local grocer.

6) Use your lunch break as an exercise break. I go work out and
then eat lunch at my desk. A brisk walk around the block will
leave you more refueled for the afternoon than that third cup of
coffee.

7) Do you complain about how slow your apartment elevator is?
Take the faster route - the stairs. You'll burn calories in the
process.

8) It's always ironic that those who circle the parking lot
looking for the closest spot are often the most overweight. Park
farther away where there are spots o' plenty. You'll burn extra
calories lugging your groceries back to the car.

9) Have you ever heard the phrase "hurry up and wait!"? Well
it's not just a humorous observation it's a great way to stay
moving. The next time you're waiting in a long lineup don't take
a chair, pace the floor or do a little stretching.

10) If you have no time to exercise, chances are you don't have
time to clean the house either. Housework - such as dusting,
vacuuming, shoveling and raking - is multitasking because it
counts as exercise.

About the author:
Anna Fleet is a certified fitness instructor, and the face and
voice behind fitnessgear101.com - an awesome website with
extensive information about workout
routines, fitness
tools, stupid fitness ideas and more.